Detective Inspector Pete Danby said on Wednesday night: “Firstly my thoughts are with the man’s family at this incredibly sad and difficult time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

“We are in the very early stages of our investigation and have a number of officers on with enquiries.

“We think this was an isolated incident and believe there is no wider threat to local residents, however, we have stepped up patrols in the area to offer some reassurance to the community.

“If you have any information that you think could assist us with our investigation, please contact us immediately.”

Barnard Close in Oswaldtwistle after a man was shot dead

A Lancashire Police spokesman added: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the shooting of a man in Accrington. We were called at around 8.25pm this evening (Wednesday, October 25th) to the report that a man, 32, had suffered a single shot wound to his chest after a firearm had been discharged from an address on Barnard Close.

“He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he sadly died a short time later.”

The force spokesman added: “A 14 year old boy from Accrington has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident reference LC-20171025-1407, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or report any information at crimestoppers-uk.org.